Save some bucks on Turkey Day

Want some ways to save money on that Thanksgiving dinner? Here are some suggestions from Shortcuts.com, an electronic coupon service.

1) Make a list. One of the easiest ways to over-spend on the Thanksgiving meal is to over-shop.

2) Seek out coupons. You’ll find more coupons than normal in the Sunday paper and online at sites like Shortcuts.com that can be used on the holiday dinner.

3) Buy a frozen turkey and save money. Allow four to five days for the turkey to thaw completely in the refrigerator.

4) Know how much you need. Take a headcount of how many people will be at the table and visit a site like AllRecipes.com to calculate a recipe based on the number of people eating dinner.

5) Prepare a little less than you think you need. There are so many must-have side dishes, including mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, that guests won’t be taking their usual helpings.

6) Save on side dishes. There are simple ways to modify traditional favorites to save money. For green bean casserole, mix frozen green beans with frozen corn. Once cooked, top with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs to save money on cream soup and canned fried onions.

7) Make your own pies. Pumpkin pie is cheaper to make than to buy. Plus, frozen pie crusts can be found on sale. Pumpkin pie is surprisingly easy to make and tastes better than store-bought too!

8) Look for loss leader items. Grocery stores are advertising these deeply discounted items on the front pages of their ads. You might easily score major savings on stuffing, rolls, potatoes and pie crusts this way.